Today's writing class had the biggest intake-- 5 new kids, 2 of which are girls. There were 15 kids in the group (3 girls total, my highest number to date). And the funny thing was that they were all rather quiet. Did the writing prompts, kinda paid attention, and said nothing. It was odd. I had worried about being able to keep control of the group; towards the end I was trying to get them to look alive.
Every so often one of the girls making eyes and lips at one of the boys (and vice versa); one of the boys told off the annoying new kid (who I employed shuffling papers to keep him from being annoying!) and I got mad at him; one kid wouldn't stop bumping his writing pad (a big flat piece of wood) into the other kid's journal. And that was about it.
We went through the journaling discussion, I had them write more for their homework, I read them parts of "Diary of a Worm" (they didn't really laugh) and "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" (no response at all), and then I was done.
One of the kids piped up: "tell the new kids about your book."
I'll admit that I rolled my eyes. But I humored them. We talked about it for 10 minutes. One of my kids kept adding things to my story-- cause he knows since he's been reading my book. This same kid said at the beginning of the class "Man, you just set yourself up for it everytime! I can't get over that!" I looked at him with an arched eyebrow "says the guy in juvenile detention." He didn't really care for that remark and brushed it off. It's nice to know he's a fan.
The kids are kind to me, respectful, and appear willing to do homework. I have one kid who is so tuned out that I never know if he's awake or not. I think he and I will be chatting after class next week. And my formerly hostile student? Raises his hand to volunteer all the time. He's great!
Still loving the class. Can't wait to go again. Next week is fiction and I want them to read parts of the book "This is What I did" by Ann Dee Ellis. I think it could be powerful.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
The Powers of Observation
Yesterday my 6 year old spent 2 full minutes staring down at the floor and still could not see the stool that was in his field of vision. I caught him climbing on the stove trying to reach our chicken timer and I said "hey! Why do you need to climb up? Look what's right there beside the stove!" In response he stared at me blankly. "Look down," I instructed. No go. "Does it need to bite your leg?" His eyes widened a slight amount, but he still stared at me/the floor blankly.
This morning we saw a sheriff's car as we drove into the school parking lot. My 6 year old saw it first and then spent the next 5 minutes -- both in and out of the car-- trying to get his 6 year old friend to see it.
It didn't work. I'm serious. They ended up walking into school because the other 6 year old boy (who is 3 days younger) could NOT see the car. And it was only about 100 feet away.
Oy! Remember that saying "the blind leading the blind"? Maybe it should be "the boy showing the boy" because that is just as true!
This morning we saw a sheriff's car as we drove into the school parking lot. My 6 year old saw it first and then spent the next 5 minutes -- both in and out of the car-- trying to get his 6 year old friend to see it.
It didn't work. I'm serious. They ended up walking into school because the other 6 year old boy (who is 3 days younger) could NOT see the car. And it was only about 100 feet away.
Oy! Remember that saying "the blind leading the blind"? Maybe it should be "the boy showing the boy" because that is just as true!
Warning:
If you receive an email from the Department of Health telling you not to eat canned pork because of Swine Flu, ignore it. It's just Spam.
Warm Fuzzy
Last night after everyone was asleep, I knelt beside my bed to say my "goodnight" prayers. As I reviewed the events of a very long and tiring day, I had a feeling of peace come over me. Sigh, I took a deep breath and was about to revel in it when I realized I was singing a song in my head from "Barbie, the Princess and the Pauper."
hmm.
Probably not the reason for the warm fuzzies though!
hmm.
Probably not the reason for the warm fuzzies though!
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Sickness Swap
My daughter is on the mend, my toddler is getting sick. Heaven help me if my son gets sick-- he is terrible being sick! The thermometer just stays on the counter and everyone gets scanned (it's a new forehead one) several times a day. So far 103.7 was our record. The toddler is only 100.5 this morning.
I feel fine. I have to be fine so I can teach my writing class tomorrow. We're talking about journaling and I have parts of "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" to read! What a classic addition to journaling! Now if only I can find "Diary of a Worm."
I feel fine. I have to be fine so I can teach my writing class tomorrow. We're talking about journaling and I have parts of "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" to read! What a classic addition to journaling! Now if only I can find "Diary of a Worm."
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
Round Two
Something about going to church.... came home yesterday, took a nap, woke up with a fever, threw up all night. Again. Two Sundays in a row.
My daughter is staying home today with a 102 fever and a sore throat.
Oy! Will it ever end?
My daughter is staying home today with a 102 fever and a sore throat.
Oy! Will it ever end?
Saturday, October 24, 2009
It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!
So it all started when my neighbor, J, put out this red beauty:
So I did this:
And put it here:
And not to brag too much, but my pumpkin IS bigger. And bluer!
Let the games begin!!!
For the record, I love the U AND the Y! But I did graduate from the Y and have a slightly deeper love for it! Slightly! But when people trash talk my cougar boys, then I gotta side with them. I suppose my blood does run blue! :o)
So I did this:
And put it here:
And not to brag too much, but my pumpkin IS bigger. And bluer!
Let the games begin!!!
For the record, I love the U AND the Y! But I did graduate from the Y and have a slightly deeper love for it! Slightly! But when people trash talk my cougar boys, then I gotta side with them. I suppose my blood does run blue! :o)
From an email I got this morning
STOP & SMELL THE ROSES !!!!
Something to think about...
Washington, DC Metro Station on a cold January morning in 2007. The man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time approximately 2 thousand people went through the station, most of them on their way to work. After 3 minutes a middle aged man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried to meet his schedule.
4 minutes later:
the violinist received his first dollar: a woman threw the money in the hat and, without stopping, continued to walk.
6 minutes:
A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again.
10 minutes:
A 3-year old boy stopped but his mother tugged him along hurriedly. The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. Every parent, without exception, forced their children to move on quickly.
45 minutes:
The musician played continuously. Only 6 people stopped and listened for a short while. About 20 gave money but continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of $32.
1 hour:
He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.
No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days before, Joshua Bell sold out a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100.
This is a true story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and people's priorities. The questions raised: in a common place environment at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context?
One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be this: If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made....
How many other things are we missing?
Something to think about...
Washington, DC Metro Station on a cold January morning in 2007. The man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time approximately 2 thousand people went through the station, most of them on their way to work. After 3 minutes a middle aged man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried to meet his schedule.
4 minutes later:
the violinist received his first dollar: a woman threw the money in the hat and, without stopping, continued to walk.
6 minutes:
A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again.
10 minutes:
A 3-year old boy stopped but his mother tugged him along hurriedly. The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. Every parent, without exception, forced their children to move on quickly.
45 minutes:
The musician played continuously. Only 6 people stopped and listened for a short while. About 20 gave money but continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of $32.
1 hour:
He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.
No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days before, Joshua Bell sold out a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100.
This is a true story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and people's priorities. The questions raised: in a common place environment at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context?
One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be this: If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made....
How many other things are we missing?
Thursday, October 22, 2009
A New Writing Class
Today's writing class was the first time since starting that I had none of the original kids. I've been teaching long enough (8 weeks) that they've all rotated out. I had a brand new syllabus today (one new class and more details on it) and everyone got one glued into their composition book.
And then we talked about autobiographies. The class of 12 wasn't especially chatty so we went through the lesson quickly. To fill leftover time I had them create a time line of their lives-- starting the year they were born (the year I graduated high school for some of them!) and ending this year with 10 dates. They had a really hard time coming up with things to put on their time line. And then I had to clarify that they had to be real ( for the writing prompt one guy made up what his best day was. Huh?), but they still struggled. I had a lot of coaching and encouraging to do.
Our newest teen has really changed the dynamic of the class. He's only been there for one day and has not learned that picking on other kids is NOT the way to make friends. He really got to be annoying to the other kids and then got angry when they started picking on him back. Duh! It's like dealing with my toddler and 6 year old. Good thing I have "mom skills!" I'm going to need them on this kid!
Almost every kid is very quiet for his first class (I say "he" because I've only had 3 girls total). One guy last week wouldn't look past his lovely (I say that with jealousy! Guys should not have prettier, fuller hair than me!) locks to look at me. Today he was fine. That's usually how it goes. Remember my hostile student? He was only hostile that first week. We're buds now. He's usually kind and respectful to me. In fact, maybe it's because I prayed so hard for him, but he's one of my favorites. I pulled him aside after class to make sure that he'll be good with all the writing we'll be doing in the next 4 classes. He shrugged and said he was good. So we're good. Good, huh?
I'm still loving the class. It's one of the highlights of my week and I always look forward to Thursdays. It's going to be fun seeing how this new group of kids reacts to the same lessons I've taught. Plus I added a persuasive writing class in. I'm super excited about that one! I'll be adding things in and taking them out depending on the class, the size, and the mood of the students. Every so often I look up to see the staff members listening intently on what I'm saying and that's always a nice compliment. They trust me. They let me take care of the kids and don't interfere. I really like all the staff members. They have a hard job, but they do it well.
Next week is journaling. I can't find my "Diary of a Worm" picture book though. That's the best! I wish I had thought of it for the journaling class last time.
And then we talked about autobiographies. The class of 12 wasn't especially chatty so we went through the lesson quickly. To fill leftover time I had them create a time line of their lives-- starting the year they were born (the year I graduated high school for some of them!) and ending this year with 10 dates. They had a really hard time coming up with things to put on their time line. And then I had to clarify that they had to be real ( for the writing prompt one guy made up what his best day was. Huh?), but they still struggled. I had a lot of coaching and encouraging to do.
Our newest teen has really changed the dynamic of the class. He's only been there for one day and has not learned that picking on other kids is NOT the way to make friends. He really got to be annoying to the other kids and then got angry when they started picking on him back. Duh! It's like dealing with my toddler and 6 year old. Good thing I have "mom skills!" I'm going to need them on this kid!
Almost every kid is very quiet for his first class (I say "he" because I've only had 3 girls total). One guy last week wouldn't look past his lovely (I say that with jealousy! Guys should not have prettier, fuller hair than me!) locks to look at me. Today he was fine. That's usually how it goes. Remember my hostile student? He was only hostile that first week. We're buds now. He's usually kind and respectful to me. In fact, maybe it's because I prayed so hard for him, but he's one of my favorites. I pulled him aside after class to make sure that he'll be good with all the writing we'll be doing in the next 4 classes. He shrugged and said he was good. So we're good. Good, huh?
I'm still loving the class. It's one of the highlights of my week and I always look forward to Thursdays. It's going to be fun seeing how this new group of kids reacts to the same lessons I've taught. Plus I added a persuasive writing class in. I'm super excited about that one! I'll be adding things in and taking them out depending on the class, the size, and the mood of the students. Every so often I look up to see the staff members listening intently on what I'm saying and that's always a nice compliment. They trust me. They let me take care of the kids and don't interfere. I really like all the staff members. They have a hard job, but they do it well.
Next week is journaling. I can't find my "Diary of a Worm" picture book though. That's the best! I wish I had thought of it for the journaling class last time.
Last week's Writing Class
I forgot to post about my writing class last week. I tried to do something new-- writing to music. I pulled together a random collection of songs and subjected my guys to it. From Spanish to classical to jazz to Christmas... there was a huge list. For each song I had them write two sentences: "I think of _____________." and "It makes me feel ____________." I had about 15 songs and went through them very quickly. The music was done and I found myself trying to fill the remaining 15 minutes.
So we talked about their music. They all like rap, death metal, and hard rock. I tried to gently show them that music DOES affect how you think and how you feel and that perhaps they could think about how their music choices could have lead them to where they are today (in juvenile jail.) I've never discussed music with teens before and I'm still not sure I'm convinced that death metal does help you feel happy. Uh, that one seems to be a stretch for me.
So we talked about their music. They all like rap, death metal, and hard rock. I tried to gently show them that music DOES affect how you think and how you feel and that perhaps they could think about how their music choices could have lead them to where they are today (in juvenile jail.) I've never discussed music with teens before and I'm still not sure I'm convinced that death metal does help you feel happy. Uh, that one seems to be a stretch for me.
A beautiful post
This touched me deeply this morning and I wanted to share it with my friends:
Paul and a bike
I love his conclusions-- everyone needs kindness; everyone needs to know they are not alone; everyone needs to know that the supreme being in the universe, their Heavenly Father, knows their name and loves them. What a simple and beautiful message.
Have a loved day, my friends. Take a moment to be kind to someone around you-- especially those who may be next to impossible to be kind to!
Paul and a bike
I love his conclusions-- everyone needs kindness; everyone needs to know they are not alone; everyone needs to know that the supreme being in the universe, their Heavenly Father, knows their name and loves them. What a simple and beautiful message.
Have a loved day, my friends. Take a moment to be kind to someone around you-- especially those who may be next to impossible to be kind to!
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
"Home is a Special Kind of Feeling"
We have a song we listen to on Sunday called "Home is a Special Kind of Feeling." It has one particular line that always makes me pause:
"Home is an island when you need to be alone."
Huh? Seriously? Whose home? Where can I get one like that?
I'd like to be alone to go to the bathroom, or shower, or make a phone call to my doctor's office, or anything. When I want to be alone, I usually get in my car. Maybe "My van is an island when I need to be alone." Even my closet doesn't cut it (too crowded, can't really shut the doors tight). And the bathroom, pbbttt! Not even close. The van. That's where it's at these days.
"Home is an island when you need to be alone."
Huh? Seriously? Whose home? Where can I get one like that?
I'd like to be alone to go to the bathroom, or shower, or make a phone call to my doctor's office, or anything. When I want to be alone, I usually get in my car. Maybe "My van is an island when I need to be alone." Even my closet doesn't cut it (too crowded, can't really shut the doors tight). And the bathroom, pbbttt! Not even close. The van. That's where it's at these days.
Wishing....
I wish I were more of an irresponsible mother. Then I would have sent my son to school after a nice dose of ibuprofen. But I couldn't. I didn't. I kept him home. I hope we both survive. He must go to school tomorrow. Must!
I'm trying not to freak out that he chose to watch "Barbie and the Magic of Pegasus" right now- with the optional 3D glasses. Yikes! It's okay; he's only 6; it's okay; he's only 6. If he was 16, then I might freak out more.
I had a migraine this morning and I ended up pulling out the "big gun" medicine to get rid of it. It has made me rather loopy. I find myself extremely humorous right now. This should come as no surprise to any of you if you've read my post about making grape juice. Oy vay!
It's hot in my house. I am sweating. I should shower so I don't stink. Just thought I'd share.
I have nothing else productive to say.
really.
nothing.
time to shower.
I'm trying not to freak out that he chose to watch "Barbie and the Magic of Pegasus" right now- with the optional 3D glasses. Yikes! It's okay; he's only 6; it's okay; he's only 6. If he was 16, then I might freak out more.
I had a migraine this morning and I ended up pulling out the "big gun" medicine to get rid of it. It has made me rather loopy. I find myself extremely humorous right now. This should come as no surprise to any of you if you've read my post about making grape juice. Oy vay!
It's hot in my house. I am sweating. I should shower so I don't stink. Just thought I'd share.
I have nothing else productive to say.
really.
nothing.
time to shower.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Ah, the power of sleep
About 9 pm last night I felt like I had hit the end of the sickness. I wanted to stand on my bed and dance. Instead my hubby & I discussed health care. (just as fun, eh?) Night time is usually my chatty time when I share with him all the interesting things I've read or heard. And he is gracious enough to listen to me even though he is ready to fall immediately asleep.
I slept great; no dreams that I recall. Phew.
I was ready to get up and gently/calmly take on the day.
And then my son woke up sick. 101.8 fever. Ouchy stomach. Oy! So I sent one eager and excited girl back to school and have another sicky boy here-- just the opposite of yesterday. The toddler is standing at the front window and calling out for his sister. Now he's knocking on the window. The brother is just not as fun as the sister today.
It's good. I'm so much happier to not be sick. I can take a nap with the toddler and take it easy today. It'll be good. And I can spray/wipe the be-jee-bees out of my house with my Lysol spray/wipes. No germs here! None!
I slept great; no dreams that I recall. Phew.
I was ready to get up and gently/calmly take on the day.
And then my son woke up sick. 101.8 fever. Ouchy stomach. Oy! So I sent one eager and excited girl back to school and have another sicky boy here-- just the opposite of yesterday. The toddler is standing at the front window and calling out for his sister. Now he's knocking on the window. The brother is just not as fun as the sister today.
It's good. I'm so much happier to not be sick. I can take a nap with the toddler and take it easy today. It'll be good. And I can spray/wipe the be-jee-bees out of my house with my Lysol spray/wipes. No germs here! None!
Monday, October 19, 2009
We interrupt this normally scheduled life for some vomiting
Four days, three sickies (toddler, daughter, mom), lots of throw up, some abdominal cramping, low-grade fevers, vivid-- almost hallucinatory-- dreaming.
Four very, very, very, very long days.
I hate throwing up; I hate dreams where I spend an hour straight trying to run and hide from some unknown attacker; I hate dreams where it's like a horror movie mixed with super suspense mixed with Tinkerbell (yes, we were all fairies; weird, I know but oh soooo creepy).
I hate being sick.
Real posts coming soon........................
Four very, very, very, very long days.
I hate throwing up; I hate dreams where I spend an hour straight trying to run and hide from some unknown attacker; I hate dreams where it's like a horror movie mixed with super suspense mixed with Tinkerbell (yes, we were all fairies; weird, I know but oh soooo creepy).
I hate being sick.
Real posts coming soon........................
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Remodel Update-- almost there!
The kitchen is now 90% done! Woo-hoo! I have a working sink. So this morning I took all of the dirty dishes out of the hall bathroom and loaded them into the dishwasher or washed them by hand. The bathroom is now officially a bathroom again! We still have to do the baseboards, attach handles to the wall cabinets, repaint a couple of corners and add some trim to the windows, add the range hood back in, and then I do believe we'll be mostly done. We'll have to wait another two weeks for the missing cabinet door to show up. And then we won't have that missing.
People keep asking: "Do you just LOVE it?" Our response: "We're too tired! Give us a chance to catch up on our sleep and get things put away and then we will LOVE it!" I do love it! I will love it more when it's totally done and we can get to bed by 10 pm at night.
Enjoy my pics!
People keep asking: "Do you just LOVE it?" Our response: "We're too tired! Give us a chance to catch up on our sleep and get things put away and then we will LOVE it!" I do love it! I will love it more when it's totally done and we can get to bed by 10 pm at night.
Enjoy my pics!
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Off
I'm feeling off today. Seems like everyone around me is in crisis and while I'm not currently in crisis, it would be nice to feel like my major sources of comfort were available. I've been taking care of lots of things, people, errands, lives and I'm a bit weary. Plus, I think my hormones are a bit whacked (I think that's a medical term actually). So while I'm trying to keep going, mostly I just want to sit and stare out the window (and maybe even a drool a bit). Doesn't that sound nice? (except maybe not so much the drooling).
Last night I had a mommy meltdown. I was hungry cuz I didn't eat lunch and I was tired and I couldn't do much with the counter guy in the way and two simple requests for the hubby turned into major projects. OY! I was mean to my son when he asked a stupid question. I was snippish with everyone else. I bought a frosty from Wendy's and didn't share it with anyone. Well, I had to share it with the toddler cuz he made me. It was a rough night. I couldn't even call my "buddies" and my hubby totally avoided me. Blah. I felt like a tired, freaked out, crabby monster. And it didn't seem to matter to anyone that I had bought groceries, emptied out the garden, cleaned, ran errands, dealt with a major son meltdown in the presence of the counter guy, took kids to & from school.... all my good deeds evaporated when I hit my "fried out" mode and became grouchy. (So not fair, in the language of my kids).
Gone. Snap. Just like that. No good deed remembered and only grouchy mom avoided.
Blah. So I'm hanging in there today. That's about all I can do. Endure.
Last night I had a mommy meltdown. I was hungry cuz I didn't eat lunch and I was tired and I couldn't do much with the counter guy in the way and two simple requests for the hubby turned into major projects. OY! I was mean to my son when he asked a stupid question. I was snippish with everyone else. I bought a frosty from Wendy's and didn't share it with anyone. Well, I had to share it with the toddler cuz he made me. It was a rough night. I couldn't even call my "buddies" and my hubby totally avoided me. Blah. I felt like a tired, freaked out, crabby monster. And it didn't seem to matter to anyone that I had bought groceries, emptied out the garden, cleaned, ran errands, dealt with a major son meltdown in the presence of the counter guy, took kids to & from school.... all my good deeds evaporated when I hit my "fried out" mode and became grouchy. (So not fair, in the language of my kids).
Gone. Snap. Just like that. No good deed remembered and only grouchy mom avoided.
Blah. So I'm hanging in there today. That's about all I can do. Endure.
Ah-Ha! It CAN get Worse!
Last night as I wrestled the Fisher Price Popcorn Popper away from my toddler, who was gleefully pushing it through the hallway at 8:30 pm while his brother attempted to fall asleep, I thought: "you know, we already have one of the "every parent's worst nightmare gift toys" so we really don't need to worry about worse Christmas gifts..."
That's when I stopped myself. Because there ARE worse gifts. Plus, I learned last week that you shouldn't say "Well, it can't get worse" because, hello my friend!, it can. And does!
A few toys that shall never pass o'r the doorstep of our humble abode:
-the 8 piece electronic band set
-anything with Elmo talking
-make your own slime kits (eeww!)
-life-size Barbies (creepy!)
-sea monkeys
-screaming life-size rubber chicken doll
-mini-slot machine
-789 piece battery-powered building set where the loss of one quarter inch piece makes it worthless
-realistic toy weed whacker-- the coordinating chainsaw is BAD enough
-25 piece real makeup kit for girls (ours only came with 12 pieces, grrrr)
What else? I know I'm leaving something off. What's your nightmare toy?
That's when I stopped myself. Because there ARE worse gifts. Plus, I learned last week that you shouldn't say "Well, it can't get worse" because, hello my friend!, it can. And does!
A few toys that shall never pass o'r the doorstep of our humble abode:
-the 8 piece electronic band set
-anything with Elmo talking
-make your own slime kits (eeww!)
-life-size Barbies (creepy!)
-sea monkeys
-screaming life-size rubber chicken doll
-mini-slot machine
-789 piece battery-powered building set where the loss of one quarter inch piece makes it worthless
-realistic toy weed whacker-- the coordinating chainsaw is BAD enough
-25 piece real makeup kit for girls (ours only came with 12 pieces, grrrr)
What else? I know I'm leaving something off. What's your nightmare toy?
Monday, October 12, 2009
Notice anything different about me???
Yep, I have a sink. And counter tops. And I'm ecstatic! Or maybe the silicon caulk smell is messing with my mind. Hmmmm.......
Cool, huh? I love it! It matches the whole kitchen- the tile, the cabinets. It all looks great.
Cool, huh? I love it! It matches the whole kitchen- the tile, the cabinets. It all looks great.
Deep [whack] breathing [whack] deep [whack] breathing
Why?!? Why?! Why were my children cursed with such a mother???? Oh the tragedy! The horror!!
My latest offence? The latest reason for being nominated "WORST MOTHER OF THE WORLD AND OF THIS HOUSE AND ALL OF UTAH"???
I made my son lie down after school because he called me 30 minutes before the bell and said he was sick and he got in the car after school and said he was sick and he got home and said he was sick...... until I made him lay down and not have a chance to play.
Man! How could I not believe that laying down for 5 whole minutes created an instantaneous healing in his small body?!? How could I not see the improved color in his cheeks and the new zest to his whining? How?!? Why?!
Because I am a bad, bad mom. And he hates me.
I know, you're probably gasping right now. But he shouted at me "I hate you!"
Yep, all deserved. I am the worst mother officially for the next 5.67 minutes-- until he wants something from me and I become good again.
Until then, I'm waiting till the counter guy goes outside and then I'm chugging the 2 liter bottle of mostly flat Pepsi right out of the fridge.
My latest offence? The latest reason for being nominated "WORST MOTHER OF THE WORLD AND OF THIS HOUSE AND ALL OF UTAH"???
I made my son lie down after school because he called me 30 minutes before the bell and said he was sick and he got in the car after school and said he was sick and he got home and said he was sick...... until I made him lay down and not have a chance to play.
Man! How could I not believe that laying down for 5 whole minutes created an instantaneous healing in his small body?!? How could I not see the improved color in his cheeks and the new zest to his whining? How?!? Why?!
Because I am a bad, bad mom. And he hates me.
I know, you're probably gasping right now. But he shouted at me "I hate you!"
Yep, all deserved. I am the worst mother officially for the next 5.67 minutes-- until he wants something from me and I become good again.
Until then, I'm waiting till the counter guy goes outside and then I'm chugging the 2 liter bottle of mostly flat Pepsi right out of the fridge.
Remodel Update
The counters are coming! The counters are coming!
Which means I have to clean off the temporary ones. Which means my kitchen table and living room are quite messy. Which means my kitchen looks great. See?
We had to put locks on the cabinets so the toddler would stop unloading them. And we are still missing one cabinet door; it just didn't show up in the box and had to be reordered. In a couple weeks it should be here.
Which means I have to clean off the temporary ones. Which means my kitchen table and living room are quite messy. Which means my kitchen looks great. See?
We had to put locks on the cabinets so the toddler would stop unloading them. And we are still missing one cabinet door; it just didn't show up in the box and had to be reordered. In a couple weeks it should be here.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Writing and Grace
I got into the car this morning to leave for the juvenile detention center and immediately started praying: "Heavenly Father, I have nothing this morning. I have nothing to give the guys in my writing class." I was tired, emotionally numb, a little sick to my stomach, and worried how I could take on a class of juvenile delinquents-- especially when I didn't have the lesson fully prepared.
While I drove I listened to an amazing song "Grace" by Nichole Nordeman and kept praying that I'd be able to have energy to teach the class and especially that I could get through to the hostile student. I've prayed a lot about Mr. Hostility this past week; I've wanted to find a way to get through to him and to try to make a difference in his life. I never did really think of anything out of the ordinary.
Most of the kids failed to do their homework (writing a non-fiction article or the like), but Mr. Hostility piped up immediately that he had done it and wanted his monkey sticker! I was shocked. Last week he gave me such a look of disdain when I told him that the first consequence to not doing homework was to NOT get a monkey sticker. Man, he wanted his monkey sticker! I gratefully gave one to him.
No one wanted to read their writing so I pulled out a copy of my book and said "I'd like to read my non-fiction to you."
Another student: "That's your book?!"
"Yep."
"You're Sarah?!"
"Yep, see, this is me on the back. My hair is just longer now."
And then I read a chapter about being kicked unconscious and the one time I fought back. When I was almost done, I paused to interject a comment and my formerly hostile student looked at me with surprise. "That's you?!" he asked. "Uh-huh. Let me finish and then we'll talk."
The kids (14 of them today, 4 new ones) were riveted. Only a few had questions. "I read this," I told them, "because I'm guessing I'm not the only one in this group who has had the crap beaten out of them by someone who is supposed to love them." I practiced that line in my head a lot before actually saying it. It was a risk, but I thought it was worth it. I never, ever expected an answer.
"Oh yeah," a handful of kids muttered. "My dad," the formerly hostile boy said under his breath. I had suspected as much. You can tell the kids who've been beaten down by their families; they have a particular look.
We spent 45 minutes talking about me and my story. At one point I told them point-blank that I was getting on my soap box and for them to bear with me. I told them that they would always have a choice to make something good out of their lives. Anger and bitterness only poison your soul and trying to mask hurt with alcohol and drugs only poisons you more.
And I apologized to them: "if you've been beaten up or told you're nothing by someone who is supposed to love you..." I have to pause because my voice cracks "I'm sorry. It's not fair, and if no one has ever apologized, then I am. Because I know what it's like to beaten and it breaks my heart to think of it happening to any of you. Life is not supposed to be like that. Life is supposed to be good." They were all paying rapt attention. "You can still make your life good. You still have a choice to go after your dreams." Even the staff members were listening intently.
After all the seriousness, I played a story game with them. Each person got a strip of paper and wrote a sentence on it starting with "And I ____________" Then I read the strips in order and together we made a hilarious story about making lots of money, becoming motorcross king, shaving legs, going to South Africa and becoming president, and passing out on the bed. We loved it. All too soon, the class was over. Lunch was there and one of the tougher staff members barked out orders for where everybody was supposed to be.
One of my favorite kids, the youngest of the group, is going home. I wish I had had a chance to say "good luck" to him. I hope he gets his life back together.
I left the detention center wanting to do a fist pump toward the heavens. I wanted to high five my Heavenly Father who gave me his love to give to the kids. It was AWESOME! I drove home listening to "Grace" again and this time one of the lyrics really caught my attention:
"Grace finds beauty in ugly things....Grace makes beauty out of ugly things."
I thought of my kids. There wasn't one of them that I found repulsive or ugly; they were all valuable and I wanted to reach them. I wanted to show them that as children of God, they are inherently beautiful. I listened to the song over and over again. "Grace finds beauty in everything."
Do we do that? Do we look for the beauty in those around us? Do we create beauty out of ugly things-- out of ugly situations? Just a thought for you for today.
Here's a You Tube video with "Grace" in it. The video itself is rather weak/lame, but you can push play and have it playing in the background. It describes the great lengths that grace goes to rescue, help, and beautify people. People like us. People like the kids in my writing class. How lucky I feel to be able to go there and bring the light, love, and grace of God into their lives. Oh, and beauty. I love taking in beauty (and I ain't talking about myself!)
Grace finds beauty in everything.
While I drove I listened to an amazing song "Grace" by Nichole Nordeman and kept praying that I'd be able to have energy to teach the class and especially that I could get through to the hostile student. I've prayed a lot about Mr. Hostility this past week; I've wanted to find a way to get through to him and to try to make a difference in his life. I never did really think of anything out of the ordinary.
Most of the kids failed to do their homework (writing a non-fiction article or the like), but Mr. Hostility piped up immediately that he had done it and wanted his monkey sticker! I was shocked. Last week he gave me such a look of disdain when I told him that the first consequence to not doing homework was to NOT get a monkey sticker. Man, he wanted his monkey sticker! I gratefully gave one to him.
No one wanted to read their writing so I pulled out a copy of my book and said "I'd like to read my non-fiction to you."
Another student: "That's your book?!"
"Yep."
"You're Sarah?!"
"Yep, see, this is me on the back. My hair is just longer now."
And then I read a chapter about being kicked unconscious and the one time I fought back. When I was almost done, I paused to interject a comment and my formerly hostile student looked at me with surprise. "That's you?!" he asked. "Uh-huh. Let me finish and then we'll talk."
The kids (14 of them today, 4 new ones) were riveted. Only a few had questions. "I read this," I told them, "because I'm guessing I'm not the only one in this group who has had the crap beaten out of them by someone who is supposed to love them." I practiced that line in my head a lot before actually saying it. It was a risk, but I thought it was worth it. I never, ever expected an answer.
"Oh yeah," a handful of kids muttered. "My dad," the formerly hostile boy said under his breath. I had suspected as much. You can tell the kids who've been beaten down by their families; they have a particular look.
We spent 45 minutes talking about me and my story. At one point I told them point-blank that I was getting on my soap box and for them to bear with me. I told them that they would always have a choice to make something good out of their lives. Anger and bitterness only poison your soul and trying to mask hurt with alcohol and drugs only poisons you more.
And I apologized to them: "if you've been beaten up or told you're nothing by someone who is supposed to love you..." I have to pause because my voice cracks "I'm sorry. It's not fair, and if no one has ever apologized, then I am. Because I know what it's like to beaten and it breaks my heart to think of it happening to any of you. Life is not supposed to be like that. Life is supposed to be good." They were all paying rapt attention. "You can still make your life good. You still have a choice to go after your dreams." Even the staff members were listening intently.
After all the seriousness, I played a story game with them. Each person got a strip of paper and wrote a sentence on it starting with "And I ____________" Then I read the strips in order and together we made a hilarious story about making lots of money, becoming motorcross king, shaving legs, going to South Africa and becoming president, and passing out on the bed. We loved it. All too soon, the class was over. Lunch was there and one of the tougher staff members barked out orders for where everybody was supposed to be.
One of my favorite kids, the youngest of the group, is going home. I wish I had had a chance to say "good luck" to him. I hope he gets his life back together.
I left the detention center wanting to do a fist pump toward the heavens. I wanted to high five my Heavenly Father who gave me his love to give to the kids. It was AWESOME! I drove home listening to "Grace" again and this time one of the lyrics really caught my attention:
"Grace finds beauty in ugly things....Grace makes beauty out of ugly things."
I thought of my kids. There wasn't one of them that I found repulsive or ugly; they were all valuable and I wanted to reach them. I wanted to show them that as children of God, they are inherently beautiful. I listened to the song over and over again. "Grace finds beauty in everything."
Do we do that? Do we look for the beauty in those around us? Do we create beauty out of ugly things-- out of ugly situations? Just a thought for you for today.
Here's a You Tube video with "Grace" in it. The video itself is rather weak/lame, but you can push play and have it playing in the background. It describes the great lengths that grace goes to rescue, help, and beautify people. People like us. People like the kids in my writing class. How lucky I feel to be able to go there and bring the light, love, and grace of God into their lives. Oh, and beauty. I love taking in beauty (and I ain't talking about myself!)
Grace finds beauty in everything.
Start the morning off with a few good tears
I read Stephanie Nielsen's blog every single time she posts. She has become a dear & amazing example to me. Yesterday she was on Oprah talking about her crash. I missed the show but I read about it on Oprah's website. That's where I found this little video clip:
Stephanie & an another mom
It brought tears to my eyes. I want all my other mom friends to watch it too.
Motherhood isn't for wimps, but the rewards are amazing and eternal!
Here's the story.
P.S. to link to her blog, find the button near the bottom of this page on the right-hand side: "I read Nie Nie."
Stephanie & an another mom
It brought tears to my eyes. I want all my other mom friends to watch it too.
Motherhood isn't for wimps, but the rewards are amazing and eternal!
Here's the story.
P.S. to link to her blog, find the button near the bottom of this page on the right-hand side: "I read Nie Nie."
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Blessed Moment
I'm sitting in my new sunlit kitchen-- minus the counter tops-- sitting at the table, sipping cold Pepsi, and reading "Catching Fire" by Suzanne Collins. The toddler is sleeping, the laundry is going, the kids are at school.
All is right with the world.
All is right with the world.
Still breathing
Made it 4 hours with 4 kid under 3. Kept the laundry going and continued to put things away in the kitchen. Not bad.
Now it's nap time!
Now it's nap time!
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
One step forward, Two steps back
We had to empty the kitchen again last night so we could seal the tile. So we are making progress, but it is frustrating to have the table back in the kitchen.
But tonight we can put everything back-- including the fridge. That will be fabulous!
And there's a chance that we'll have countertops as soon as Thursday! But definitely by Friday which means I'll have my sink (a brand new one!) back. Hooray! No more dirty dishes by the bathroom sink!
I got tired of having the window open to the backyard so I put up one panel of curtains I made years ago. I've always loved these curtains. Maybe I can find a way to use them in my new kitchen.
Plus, I'm still trying to figure out where to put stuff. That will take a few more days. Once the kitchen's all back together, then I plan to do a massive cleaning in the living room. There is sheet rock dust everywhere!
But tonight we can put everything back-- including the fridge. That will be fabulous!
And there's a chance that we'll have countertops as soon as Thursday! But definitely by Friday which means I'll have my sink (a brand new one!) back. Hooray! No more dirty dishes by the bathroom sink!
I got tired of having the window open to the backyard so I put up one panel of curtains I made years ago. I've always loved these curtains. Maybe I can find a way to use them in my new kitchen.
Plus, I'm still trying to figure out where to put stuff. That will take a few more days. Once the kitchen's all back together, then I plan to do a massive cleaning in the living room. There is sheet rock dust everywhere!
Monday, October 5, 2009
"Have a Little Faith" by Mitch Albom
I just finished listening to "Have a Little Faith" by Mitch Albom. It was fantastic! I highly recommend it to all of you.
Here's Amazon's page.
Here's the author's page.
It's so rare that I read a book that I thoroughly enjoy and that makes me want to be a better person. This was a great book-- clean, funny, well-written, and easy to read (listen to).
Here's Amazon's page.
Here's the author's page.
It's so rare that I read a book that I thoroughly enjoy and that makes me want to be a better person. This was a great book-- clean, funny, well-written, and easy to read (listen to).
Confessional
My kids are home from school. I feel like I should be happy to see them and eager to answer their 400 questions (okay so 397 questions from my son and 3 from my daughter) and kind and calm when supervising their snacks and homework.
But I'm not. I'm feeling really grouchy. And I keep rolling my eyes and gritting my teeth behind their backs. And I've already had to drag my son into his room so he could throw a fit in there, and I can't even contemplate as to whether or not I may have contributed to his meltdown because I couldn't just happily answer that the noise the van was making was actually the revving up instead of just flatly saying "the noise is cuz I'm driving" and other such non-responses. Ugh, just do what you need to do and leave me be!
Which makes me feel selfish. And that "should" is killing me. Where's the happy mother who has baked bread and cookies waiting for them when they arrive home?
She's on vacation today in some blissful tropical paradise sipping a coconut-flavored snow cone while watching the turquoise blue water lap on onto the sandy white beaches.
Darn her.
I am here. It's time to get dinner started and to get the homework done and to try and figure out how to put more things away and all the other things I need to do because I am -- for better or for worse-- the mother.
Yes, the mother. I don't want to answer questions. I don't want to review spelling words. I don't want to tell them what snack is or is not appropriate. I don't want to read "Pigeon loves things that go" for the 80th time (which is what will happen if I sit down). I want to sit on my duff and be left alone and read a book and get off my feet so my sciatic nerve stops hurting. I want to sip on caffeine free Pepsi too, but I don't have any of that; I only have the hard stuff and I can't drink it after 3 pm or I don't sleep.
Oh, and NOT feel selfish. What is with us mothers? We attract guilt and worries about being selfish like lint to a wool sweater. "If I go to the bathroom by myself, is that selfish?" "If I eat first, is that selfish?" "If I say no, then I'll feel guilty." "Can I just buy myself something special and NOT share it without being selfish?!?" Oy vay, I tell you. We think tooooo much. I think too much.
The mother is in today, and not happy. Stoic, yes; patient, sorta; responsive, only when pressed; stressed, mildly. But let's not push for happiness, okay? Let's just all play nice and leave the mom alone for a bit so she can sit and do nothing. Without feeling guilty or selfish.
To all my mother friends I say:
MOTHERHOOD-- it's not for wimps.
But I'm not. I'm feeling really grouchy. And I keep rolling my eyes and gritting my teeth behind their backs. And I've already had to drag my son into his room so he could throw a fit in there, and I can't even contemplate as to whether or not I may have contributed to his meltdown because I couldn't just happily answer that the noise the van was making was actually the revving up instead of just flatly saying "the noise is cuz I'm driving" and other such non-responses. Ugh, just do what you need to do and leave me be!
Which makes me feel selfish. And that "should" is killing me. Where's the happy mother who has baked bread and cookies waiting for them when they arrive home?
She's on vacation today in some blissful tropical paradise sipping a coconut-flavored snow cone while watching the turquoise blue water lap on onto the sandy white beaches.
Darn her.
I am here. It's time to get dinner started and to get the homework done and to try and figure out how to put more things away and all the other things I need to do because I am -- for better or for worse-- the mother.
Yes, the mother. I don't want to answer questions. I don't want to review spelling words. I don't want to tell them what snack is or is not appropriate. I don't want to read "Pigeon loves things that go" for the 80th time (which is what will happen if I sit down). I want to sit on my duff and be left alone and read a book and get off my feet so my sciatic nerve stops hurting. I want to sip on caffeine free Pepsi too, but I don't have any of that; I only have the hard stuff and I can't drink it after 3 pm or I don't sleep.
Oh, and NOT feel selfish. What is with us mothers? We attract guilt and worries about being selfish like lint to a wool sweater. "If I go to the bathroom by myself, is that selfish?" "If I eat first, is that selfish?" "If I say no, then I'll feel guilty." "Can I just buy myself something special and NOT share it without being selfish?!?" Oy vay, I tell you. We think tooooo much. I think too much.
The mother is in today, and not happy. Stoic, yes; patient, sorta; responsive, only when pressed; stressed, mildly. But let's not push for happiness, okay? Let's just all play nice and leave the mom alone for a bit so she can sit and do nothing. Without feeling guilty or selfish.
To all my mother friends I say:
MOTHERHOOD-- it's not for wimps.
The Truth of the Matter, ie: pics of the kichen now
So that womanly instinct in me felt like I should clean my kitchen up nicely before I post pictures of it, but if I do that, I'll never get pics posted. Here is the fresh (true) look of my kitchen with all of its messiness.
Here's how the tile, cabinets, and bamboo flooring look together.
Here's the crown molding. I LOVE that the cabinets go all the way to the ceiling. It makes the room look taller too. My brother did the crown molding and did a great job. And my hubby did a FANTASTIC job on the rest of it. Thankfully he had good help!
The living room does look better (even if you can't tell) since we got a lot of stuff out of it-- like the table and the old movable island and such. I'll get it cleaned some day!
We get our counters measured today or tomorrow and then we'll have them installed in a week along with the new sink. That will be nice! I've got to figure out where everything goes now and try to remember where I put everything in the first place. The pans are in the linen closet... right?
I'll post more pics as it cleans up more.
Just as soon as that maid shows up! ;o)
Here's the new stove side wall
Here's the new addition to the kitchen-- a slight island to give the kitchen a bit of a separation.
Here's the window side wall. The cabinets on the left side are new along with the three drawers. I had them make 3 big drawers instead of 4 smaller ones next to the dishwasher and I am already loving those!
Here's how the tile, cabinets, and bamboo flooring look together.
Here's the crown molding. I LOVE that the cabinets go all the way to the ceiling. It makes the room look taller too. My brother did the crown molding and did a great job. And my hubby did a FANTASTIC job on the rest of it. Thankfully he had good help!
The living room does look better (even if you can't tell) since we got a lot of stuff out of it-- like the table and the old movable island and such. I'll get it cleaned some day!
We get our counters measured today or tomorrow and then we'll have them installed in a week along with the new sink. That will be nice! I've got to figure out where everything goes now and try to remember where I put everything in the first place. The pans are in the linen closet... right?
I'll post more pics as it cleans up more.
Just as soon as that maid shows up! ;o)
Give me an hour or two....
I'm still trying to catch my breath from a hard weekend. I'll post pics of the kitchen so far soon. Promise. Just let me get my children-- who are sick of each other after 4 days together-- back to school and get a few things caught up on and then I'll post new pics.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Stage 3- Touch up Work
Here's a picture from this morning. All the base cabinets are in; the wall cabinets are up; most of the mess is cleaned. Time for the toe kicks and other finish things. Hopefully by today the table will be back in the kitchen and we can start putting our kitchen back together.Oh! And the dishwasher will be reinstalled. Woo hoo! No more dishes in the bathtub!
11 pm Calm
Everyone was in bed and asleep-- except me. We finished work about 10:30 pm. I can say "we" because I swept up the messes. It was a very long day!
Stage 2- Base Cabinets
I actually didn't take a picture of the base cabinets going in. It took many hours. But they got done and they look good.
Stage 1- Wall Cabinets
We'll just kindly overlook the problems we had with wall cabinets since the hubby reads this blog and it will bring back some painful 1.5 inch memories for him....Needless to say, the cabinets are up and they look good!
Friday, October 2, 2009
Writing Class number 5
Let's just say yesterday was very........ interesting. From the "eye rolling corner" to my left to the hard-core juvenile delinquent glaring continuously at me from across the circle to the few teens who actually paid attention, it was a unique experience.
Safe to say that I was "stupid" "lame" "great" "funny" "in trouble" "fine"-- depending on who you asked. There was only one point when I had them all engaged-- when I was describing the guy who got his arm pinned between a slot canyon wall and a boulder and had to cut it off himself with his pocket knife. They really got into that (even the staff were raptly listening).
But other than that, it was just another class with teens. Every time kids go in and out the class dynamic changes. I'm curious to see how things go with Mr. Openly-Hostile in the future. He told me defiantly "I don't read." I smiled and said nothing. Unfortunately for him, I know what it's like to butt heads with a defiant kid (thanks to my son) and he's not going to get the rise out of me that he wants. All of those buttons of mine have been pushed a long time ago! I'll see what I can do.
Now I just have to better plan out the next/last class. After that we just start all over again.
Safe to say that I was "stupid" "lame" "great" "funny" "in trouble" "fine"-- depending on who you asked. There was only one point when I had them all engaged-- when I was describing the guy who got his arm pinned between a slot canyon wall and a boulder and had to cut it off himself with his pocket knife. They really got into that (even the staff were raptly listening).
But other than that, it was just another class with teens. Every time kids go in and out the class dynamic changes. I'm curious to see how things go with Mr. Openly-Hostile in the future. He told me defiantly "I don't read." I smiled and said nothing. Unfortunately for him, I know what it's like to butt heads with a defiant kid (thanks to my son) and he's not going to get the rise out of me that he wants. All of those buttons of mine have been pushed a long time ago! I'll see what I can do.
Now I just have to better plan out the next/last class. After that we just start all over again.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Clearance Score
$100 Kitchen Aid 7 cup food processor for......
$25 at Lowe's! Woo hooo!
I LOVE clearance!
$25 at Lowe's! Woo hooo!
I LOVE clearance!
Day Four on the March toward Kitchen Perfection
The grout is in!
(NOTE: the nasty banister will be replaced next week with an oak one that we stain to match the cupboards. This ugly thing was NOT supposed to go back in, but we ran out of time and I relented.)
We have to wait till the morning to wipe the final dust layer off and then we can seal it on Monday.
Tomorrow is the day! Cabinets are coming tomorrow morning and they will be installed by tomorrow night. And, if we are lucky, the counter top guys will come to take measurements tomorrow afternoon so we can have a counter & sink back some time next week.
Today was SOOOOOOO much better (except I was without the internet). I'm so glad. And I'm soooo excited! I can't wait to get my fridge out of my living room and my dirty dishes out of my bathroom sink and my pots & pans out of my linen closet.
(NOTE: the nasty banister will be replaced next week with an oak one that we stain to match the cupboards. This ugly thing was NOT supposed to go back in, but we ran out of time and I relented.)
We have to wait till the morning to wipe the final dust layer off and then we can seal it on Monday.Tomorrow is the day! Cabinets are coming tomorrow morning and they will be installed by tomorrow night. And, if we are lucky, the counter top guys will come to take measurements tomorrow afternoon so we can have a counter & sink back some time next week.
Today was SOOOOOOO much better (except I was without the internet). I'm so glad. And I'm soooo excited! I can't wait to get my fridge out of my living room and my dirty dishes out of my bathroom sink and my pots & pans out of my linen closet.
Day Three on the March toward Kitchen Perfection, part 2
Here are the pictures of the freshly laid tile from last night:
Looks so good with our bamboo flooring!
Looks so good with our bamboo flooring!
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